Heritage Conservation Tools: Resource Guides

Why Are These Resource Guides Important?

BC’s local governments have a variety of heritage conservation tools that are made available through the Local Government Act. These tools are the means to effectively manage community heritage resources to better integrate heritage conservation in planning.

The Local Government Act provides the legal framework, but it provides little guidance about the formation and application of the heritage tools. As a result, there are numerous approaches—some are successful, others less so, and still others fail.

The goal of these resource guides is to support the formation and ongoing work of community heritage conservation through research, guidelines, and standards. By understanding best practices and lessons learned, improved interpretation and implementation is possible.

Learn more about BC’s Heritage Legislation here.

Short on Time?

Check out our Heritage Quick Studies, thirteen short reference guides that will introduce your or your busy colleagues, committee members, and councillors to individual heritage conservation tools.

Quick Find

Use the buttons below to find the information that you need in the resource guides:

Character-Defining Elements

Covenants

Decision making : A Suggested Approach for Achieving Consensus

A Brief Summary of Heritage Alteration Permits

Heritage conservation tools

Incentives in BC

Incentives in Canada

A Brief Overview of Insuring Heritage Properties

Real Property

Read Sample Bylaws

• Heritage Conservation Areas
• Maintenance Standards
• Community Heritage Commissions
• Designation (more here and here)
• Heritage Revitalization Agreement

The guides provide overviews of heritage conservation tools through research and commentary. Application of the conservation tools is not prescriptive, as they can be adapted to each situation. Local governments and regional districts wanting to implement the heritage conservation tools should seek legal counsel as required.

SPECIAL NOTE: It is intended this guide will develop through community input. If you have best practices and case studies that would benefit this guide, please contact Heritage BC.